English Premier League club Leicester City have signed on Frenchman Claude Puel as their new manager on a three-year deal. Former Southampton boss Puel replaced Craig Shakespeare who was sacked last week with Leicester, the 2016 English champions, third-bottom of the table.
“It’s a great privilege to become the new manager of Leicester City – a club whose values and ambitions are closely aligned to my own,” the 56-year-old Puel said on Leicester’s website. The opportunity to help the club build on its remarkable recent achievements is a truly exciting one and I’m looking forward to working with the owners, players, staff and supporters to deliver further lasting success.”
Leicester, who followed their title-winning campaign with a 12th-place finish last season, said assistant manager Michael Appleton would remain in his role. Vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha described Puel as “a perfect fit”.
“Upon meeting Claude, his attention to detail, knowledge of our squad, understanding of our potential and his vision to help us realise it were extremely impressive,” he said.
“He quickly emerged as the outstanding candidate and I am delighted we will have the opportunity to reinforce our long-term vision, aided significantly by his expertise.”
Puel, who previously managed AS Monaco, Lille, Olympique Lyonnais and Nice, led Southampton to eighth in the Premier League last season. Nigeria stars Ahmed Musa, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho are in the books of Leicester City. Puel will be formally introduced to the media on Friday ahead of Sunday’s visit of Everton.
